BlueInk Review
Trade-quality editorial reviews with real Ingram distribution, built by industry professionals who know where reviews actually matter.
blueinkreview.comQuick Stats
| Founded | 2010 |
| Review type | Editorial (professional critics and industry veterans) |
| Turnaround | 8-10 weeks standard, 4-5 weeks expedited |
| Price range | $445 - $595 |
| Word count | Approximately 300-400 words |
| Audience | Librarians, booksellers, book trade (via Ingram) |
| Accepts self-pub | Yes |
| Accepts ARC/digital | Yes |
Best Use Case
BlueInk is strongest for authors who want trade distribution as part of the package. The Ingram connection puts your review in front of 70,000+ booksellers and librarians through their catalog system — not through a separate marketing email, but as part of actual trade infrastructure.
It's a better fit than Kirkus for authors who care more about bookseller and library discovery than agent queries. The founders' backgrounds (literary agent + newspaper book editor) shaped the review format to read like trade criticism, not consumer writing.
Pricing
| Tier | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $445 | 8-10 weeks |
| Expedited | $595 | 4-5 weeks |
No option to suppress negative reviews — whatever the critic writes gets published. This is worth knowing before you submit.
What You Get
A 300-400 word editorial review published on the BlueInk website, distributed through Ingram's iPage system to booksellers and librarians, and archived in BlueInk's searchable database. Positive reviews get featured in weekly email digests that go to trade buyers.
Unlike Kirkus, BlueInk doesn't have a private option, so all reviews go live regardless of rating. You also get a PDF of your review for use in press materials and queries.
Voice and Style
BlueInk reviews read like trade publication criticism: measured, specific, and structured around craft analysis rather than consumer recommendation. They identify what the book is attempting, whether it succeeds, and who the intended audience is.
Reviews tend to be more balanced than Kirkus (less prone to brutal dismissals) but also less likely to generate quotable superlatives. The tone is professional without being effusive. A strong BlueInk review reads like a trusted bookseller's recommendation, not a press release.
Analysis based on publicly available sample reviews.
The Honest Take
BlueInk's main advantage over Kirkus is the Ingram distribution, which is genuine trade infrastructure rather than brand association. But $445 is still a significant investment, and the no-suppression policy means you're risking that amount on a review you can't control.
The brand is less recognized than Kirkus among agents, so it's a weaker choice for query letters. Where it earns its price is in the bookseller and library channel, and only if your book is quality-ready for that audience.
The 8-10 week standard turnaround is one of the slowest in the paid segment. If timing matters for a launch or an award deadline, you'll likely need the $595 expedited option.
Pros
- Ingram distribution to 70,000+ booksellers and librarians
- Founded by industry professionals (literary agent + newspaper editor)
- Trade-quality review format with genuine critical analysis
- Reviews published in BlueInk's searchable archive
- Weekly trade digest featuring positive reviews
Cons
- No option to suppress negative reviews — all reviews go public
- $445 standard is expensive, $595 expedited even more so
- 8-10 week turnaround is among the slowest available
- Less brand recognition than Kirkus for agent queries
- Consumer reach is minimal — trade-focused audience only
Compare BlueInk Review
If trade distribution matters but the BlueInk price is steep, City Book Review offers regional editorial coverage at $199.